Cementing The Seams: post-hardcore

12:10 AM

Sloths - Transit EP (2011)

Completely awesome hardcore/punk/experimental stuff from Portland, OR. I always try to write something significant that reflects how I feel about music I "review", or gives some reliable indication of what to expect from a release. Mostly I completely miss this mark so I ask myself pretty much every time I think about writing something: why the hell do I do this? Sloths is the answer. I do it because occasionally somebody says 'listen to THIS' (see: Sleepies, Armada, Shat Shorts).

For Fans of: Self-Actualization

Stream and Download at Bandcamp

7:21 PM

Daria - Open Fire (2009)

I'm posting this for finality, for closure. A while back (a year or more, I guess) I ran across french alt-rock group Daria because their most recent LP "Open Fire" had been mixed by J Robbins, who had posted one of the tracks on his studio's myspace page. I couldn't find more than a couple other songs, nor the album to download, so this record became somewhat of an elusive snipe to me. I could have bought the cd but paying the exchange rate on top of international shipping for a cd, well you get the picture. Anyway, I would occasionally look for this on google, blogs, and make requests for people to upload it on torrent sites and the like. My attempts were all for not and my feelers eventually retracted. Today though, I decided to do what I was sure would be a fruitless search, but much to my surprise, Daria had built a bandcamp site, AND put the whole album up for free download! So here I am, still listening to it for the first time and I'm pretty jazzed, but having a hard time staying excited about this. It's good, but a bit more 90's post-metal than I expected. It sounds like it was mixed by J Robbins (bonus) and really the songs are all pretty fucking catchy. Mostly it reminds of riff heavy alt-rock bands like Clutch and Hundred Reasons. Screw it this rules. Today is awesome

FFO: Helmet, Clutch, Traindodge, Hundred Reasons

Stream and Download at Bandcamp

11:16 PM

Daniel Striped Tiger - No Difference (2011)

Boston's Daniel Striped Tiger is a band I've been on the fence about for a while. I've listened to just about everything they've released and it's all pretty good. You know? Pretty good. If a DST record is playing, I will enjoy it no doubt. If it isn't playing, I'm probably not going to put it on; until now. "No Difference" is pretty much what I imagine of whenever anyone says 'post-hardcore' (mostly when I say it). It has all the necessary elements: Angular rhythms, minor chord abuse, flucuating meter, artsy fartsy bits, actual melody, yelling but not screaming. This record is far better than I expected or even hoped. I am sorry Daniel Striped Tiger, I should never have doubted you. Thank you very much.

FFO: Fugazi, Frodus, Drive Like Jehu

Daniel Striped Tiger on Myspace

1:54 PM

Sound Check: Office of Future Plans

YUP. There will probably be a few posts about these dudes this year so I'll keep this short. The debut 7" is on the way via a kickstarter campaign and you can finally listen to a recorded version of the songs. The A side being "Harden Your Heart" from that youtube video I posted and the B side, a Stranglers cover. Thrilling.

Pre-order the 7"

Listen at Bandcamp

2:52 PM

Sound Check: Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge is dudes from French screamo band Daitro doing a more subdued emo/posthardcore thing. I never got all that into Daitro despite all the praise that their latest album recieved. I like this a lot better and am pretty excited about the record, which is out right now on Pure Pain Sugar. So if you live in Europe pick it up from those dudes. Bakery Oulet from Florida is handling a stateside release soon to come. This whole thing reminds of the Violent Breakfast/Chambers thing I posted about a while ago, and I still fucking love that Chambers LP. Happy 2011!

Check it out at their website.

8:05 PM

Sirs - Vas Deferens (2010)

More great stuff from the inbox. Sirs are a band from New York who do the up-tempo emo revival thing. Poppy hooks, gang vocals, twiddly guitars. It's nothing new but you have to admire bands that do this sort of thing as well as Sirs. I don't know if this is available on a physical format, but if it was I would suggest that you buy it. If it isn't though, they are soon releasing a split 7" with Chalk Talk, a band with whom they have a lot in common and that my girlfriend loves. So I imagine I'll be hearing a lot of these dudes in the future, which doesn't bother me a bit. If you are into bands like Algernon Cadwallader or others of that ilk, then definitely give Sirs a shot.

For fans of: Cap'n Jazz, Monument, Chalk Talk

Stream and Download at Bandcamp

1:29 PM

Ekt Ack - Manifolds EP (2010)

Let me apologize for the recent downtime around here. I recently moved into a new apartment and haven't had internet, or time for listening to music (though I have been occasionally tweeting and tumbling from my phone). Therefore, I have a stack of new records I haven't listened to yet and an inbox full of good music. Anyway, we are now mostly moved in so I should have a little more extra time that I plan to fill with music.

With that out of the way, Ekt Ack are a group of guys from Croatia with a 90's post-hardcore vibe that draw from a lot of different styles of the era. I want to compare them with Jawbox, Drive Like Jehu and Hum all at the same time, but that doesn't really make sense until you listen to it. I'm a sucker for all that stuff though so Ekt Ack really appeals to me. "Manifolds" is really, really good but unfortunately it's only 3 songs. I don't know what these guys are up to in the future but I really hope it involves more releases. Ekt Ack made my day.

For fans of: Those bands I mentioned

Ekt Ack at Bandcamp

Get it.

10:10 PM

Fine Lines - Demo (2008)

Fine Lines were a DC post-hardcore band that weren't around for very long. Their only releases were this demo and split cassette with Maryland emo revivalists Boost, who are pretty damn good as well. They don't really typify what you'd expect a DC band found on this blog to sound like, but they do claim to sound like "if Rites of Spring wore mittens while playing their songs" which seems pretty fair. Though technically I suppose they are on par with Rites of Spring from a musicianship standpoint. They do showcase some seriously awesome angular guitar noise with an ear for that melodious middle-ground that a lot of bands fall just short of. It's a real shame that this band didn't go places because everything the recorded is way good. So check them out. You can also follow a link on their myspace page to download their split cassette with Boost. I recommend it (and Boost too).

For fans of: Drive Like Jehu, Ampere, Challenger

Fine Lines on Myspace

Get it.

4:27 PM

Sound Check: Chambers

Chambers comprises former members of Italian screamo outfit Violent Breakfast. I never really got into VB, but Chambers have marked a change in sound that made me take notice. They have moved in a more post-rock/hardcore direction and have released one LP that sounds really fantastic. Of course I've only heard 2 of its 5 songs, but I'm pretty blown away already. If I can find it distro'd in the States somewhere I'll definitely pick it up. Unfortunately, paying both the european markup and overseas shipping makes things really cost-ineffective for buying tons of records I want. Anyway, check out Chambers, because they are really good. If anyone has a tip on where I can get this in the US it would make my day.

For fans of: Violent Breakfast, City of Caterpillar, A Day In Black & White

Chambers on Myspace

12:40 AM

Cowards update!

A little while ago I posted about this band Cowards who were releasing their final EP "Solitude" before playing their last show (last weekend). Then, as you may have discovered, the link to stream their album from Bandcamp was down for a while. But wouldn't you know it, I got an email from one of the Kyles (if you recall, Cowards is a three-piece consisting entirely of Kyles), and "Solitude" can once again be streamed AND downloaded by donating a minimum of 50 cents.

Stream & Download "Solitude"

7:38 PM

Future Adventures - Movimenti Il Futuro (2000)

This is fantastic. Somebody recommended this record to me the other day and the way they described it was irresistable (more on this later). So I did some looking around and found a copy to listen to. This is totally the type of thing I hope for when somebody recommends me an album. Future Adventures are a short lived side project of members of UK emo band Spy vs. Spy. I was told that they sounded like "Kidcrash meeting Traindodge" and that description needs no refining. It has the thumping bass and power of midwestern math-rock (you know, Traindodge) and the flowing guitar work of modern emo (a la Kidcrash), all worked into long, multi-structural songs. They also occasionally bust in to some excellent atonal post-hardcore stuff reminiscent of At The Drive-In and Kerosene 454. I think all the name dropping here suffices for a review right?

The person who recommended this runs a blog here. I can't read Danish, but it doesn't really matter because the music posted is all great. Check it out!

For fans of: Kidcrash, Traindodge, At The Drive-In, Bear Vs. Shark

Get it.

11:52 PM

Classic: Sense Field - Killed For Less (1994)

Sense Field were formed in 1991 after the split of 80's hardcore punk (y'know, the zine-making kind) band Reason To Believe. "Killed For Less" is their second album and was released by Revelation Records (who released a zillion amazing hardcore records and were wont to trade discography items for Star Wars merchandise). They were one of those bands bands that pretty much cemented the 90's post-hardcore sound along with Jawbox, Sunny Day Real Estate and others. Also like those groups, later on in their career they brushed shoulders with major labels and found a small amount of commercial success. Probably their most well-recieved record, "Building", came out just after "Killed For Less", so you might check that out as well. But I have a special place for this record. I think I bought the LP for $4.

For fans of: Jawbox, Sunny Day Real Estate, Texas Is The Reason, Castor

Sense Field on Myspace

Get it. **now in better quality**

2:47 PM

Sound Check: Cowards

Cowards are 3 dudes, allegedly all named Kyle, from Minneapolis who play punk/post-hardcore in a manner which does not suck. Evidently the Kyles are breaking up, which sucks because this is the first I've heard of them. Anyway, you can stream their new EP "Solitude" here. It will soon be available for download-by-donation, and I don't know how long it will be up, so listen now.

Also, I'm not all that familiar with the website Bandcamp, but it seems like every band should use it instead of Myspace. That being said:

Cowards on Myspace

Stream "Solitude"

3:28 PM

Classic: Seven Storey Mountain - At The Poles (2007)

I said I'd do it, so here it is. This is one of those records that's amazing from start to finish and at one point or another just about every song was my favorite. There are only a handful of albums I can really say that about. Like I said in the previous post this is more DC indie-rock/post-hardcore fare. Of course 11 years later SSM had a little time to polish their sound. "At The Poles" is probably their most aggressive effort, so don't expect to hear the exact same type of stuff from their 7". I know I really like something when I can't explain why.

For fans of: Jawbox, Kerosene 454, Edsel

Seven Storey Mountain on Myspace

Get it.

2:15 AM

Seven Storey Mountain - Self Titled 7" (1996)

- Seven Storey Mountain are a DC post-hardcore worship band (this sounds derogatory but its actually a compliment) from Phoenix, AZ.

- At this time they hadn't incorporated the "Mountain" and were known only as Seven Storey. Later they would add the final part making their moniker some literary reference that I don't remember and don't care to google. Somebody's memoirs or something... (Errata: I'm not going to hide the fact that I obviously remembered this wrong since the cover art cleary says "Mountain" right on the fucking front)

- This 7" EP is their first official release (which was also released as a CDep containing an extra track)

- I should be posting something about their last (by which I mean most recent, but could also mean final) LP "At The Poles" which will probably go down as one of my favorite all-time jams from start to finish. However, I've decided to post this

- I was excited to finally find mp3's of this record because I don't have a turntable or any other device capable ripping vinyl. So in my excitement, I share.

- A very heavy early-Jawbox vibe on this EP

- Expect to see something about "At The Poles" when I get the time (read: the motivation)

For fans of: Jawbox, Kerosene 454, Edsel

Seven Storey Mountain on Myspace

Get it.

1:02 AM

Classic: Retisonic - Return To Me (2004)

Have mentioned before how much I love the band Bluetip? Yes? Then we're on the same page. If you haven't gleaned that fact from previous posts, or don't read the posts at all then let me just assure you; I love Bluetip. Actually, there is no real reason I'm writing about Retisonic instead of Bluetip right now, but I suppose I'm in a mood. Anyway, the reason I started off as such is because Retisonic and Bluetip are basically the same. Retisonic formed shortly after Bluetip split, evidently because Jason Farrell decided he wasn't done writing post-hardcore songs with his trademark jangly, highly polished riffery. Retisonic manages to keep its "DC" sound while deviating still-further from Farrell's hardcore roots in Swiz. Anywho, "Return To Me" is Retisonics only full-length release, sandwiched between two enjoyable but less remarkable EP's ("The Lean Beat" and "Levittown"). Evidently they are working on a second LP, but I'm not getting my hopes up to see it released any time soon. This album still gets better every time I listen to it. Also, Modern City Records released it on vinyl, but I've yet to secure a copy.

For fans of: Bluetip, Riddle of Steel, Pilot To Gunner

Retisonic on Myspace

Get it.

2:56 PM

BOYL #5: Daria

Daria performing "Tightrope Walker" at Maroq'n'roll Festival 12/06/08

The Run-down: Daria are a rock band from France whose latest record "Open Fire" was released in March of this year and was recorded by J. Robbins, which is the only reason I know about them. I haven't heard "Open Fire" but I've already kind of fallen in love with it just listening to a few songs online repeatedly, particularly "Tightrope Walker" (which you can listen to at the Magpie Cage). I have come extremely close to paying $19.13 (13 Euros) plus international shipping fees for their CD but I can't really justify it (maybe for a copy on vinyl) as it isn't on sale in the US. It doesn't appear to be on sale as mp3s anywhere either. Somebody find this for me.

Why this video is awesome: Like all the BOYL videos, the sound quality is pretty superb for a youtube recording. Of course, the song is fucking aces, but what I really enjoy is that the crowd is pretty stoic except for exactly one person (on the right) who is likely the only person who knows the song and isn't afraid to flail around like an ape. Excellent.

9:21 PM

Classic: First Aid Kit - Forgot ID EP (2004)

- First Aid Kit are a Connecticut band that was together for the early part of this decade.

- "Forgot ID" is the 3-song follow up to their debut LP "Frights and Shivers" which I still can't form a clear opinion on. It is also the last thing they recorded.

- When people use the word "angular" when describing East Coast post-hardcore this is what they're talking about

- The second track, "Sidewalk Antics", is among the better songs in existence

For fans of: Q And Not U, Pilot To Gunner, Medications

Get it.

6:24 PM

Polar Bear Club - Summer Of George EP (2009)

- This September New York punk rockers Polar Bear Club will follow up their first proper full-length "Sometimes Things Just Disappear" with an LP called "Chasing Hamburg"

- "The Summer of George EP" is a preview of their new LP containing 2 tracks that will appear on "Chasing Hamburg" and one track exclusive to the EP

- If it's any indication of how good the LP will be, "The Summer of George" has me completely sold.

- Polar Bear Club's last LP was pretty good but it certainly had it's strong points and weak points. Some songs are particular good while others fall sort of flat. This is not the case with this EP. Each of these songs is pretty much gold and they showcase what Polar Bear Club does right, which, as I have learned, is rock seriously fucking hard.

- This shit rules.

For Fans of: Small Brown Bike, The Loved Ones, Latterman

Polar Bear Club on Myspace

Get it.

Buy "The Summer of George" and pre-order "Chasing Hamburg" at Bridge 9

9:59 PM

Classic: Pilot To Gunner - Get Saved (2004)

Sometimes when I listen to albums they evoke very specific memories that may or may not make any sort of sense on the surface. For instance, this record reminds me of jelly donuts. When it came out in 2004 I was working in a family-owned record store that sold primarily Eminem and "Now That's What I Call Music" CDs (and absolutely no Swatches). As what I recall as sort of a ritual I would get home from class, head to the grocery store, buy a jelly donut and a Coke and immediately play this record at least twice when I showed up to work. I wish I could remember what else I would have been listening to after this album was over. If I were in a phase at the time and were listening to similar bands I probably would have a Bluetip, Burning Airlines or Shiner CD queued up. However, thinking about it, it was probably some white-boy hip-hop jams. Anyway, Get Saved is an album that I find really interesting. I can't say it's one of my all time favorites or anything but for some reason it's always been sortof special to me. It isn't particularly great but it has a nuance and individuality that made me appreciate it at the time. Actually, I like it more now than I ever did before. It should be noted that J Robbins produced and appeared on this album (if you actually need a bit of useful information).

Oh what the hell? these dudes are putting a record out this year!

For fans of: Bluetip, Burning Airlines, Shiner (I'm lazy)

Pilot To Gunner on Myspace (new song is good)

Get it.

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